b'LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENTAT THE HELM The Crucial Compass: Situational AwarenessSTEPHEN JONES // PRESIDENTI n the small passenger vessel industry, security oftenIn this environment, a crew members ability to recognize operates differently than on larger ships such as oceana potential issue before it escalates is the most effective liners.Whilelargeshipsrelyheavilyonmulti-mil- line of defense.lion-dollar screening technologies and dedicated security teams, small vessel operators depend first and foremost onA typical day in our industry illustrates this principle. Be-the vigilance and proactive mindset of their crew: situa- fore passengers arrive, a basic security sweep of the vessel tional awareness. ensuresnounauthorizeditemswereleftovernight.As boarding begins, the crew observes passengers. They are Situational awareness is the ability to perceive, understand,notjustcollectingtickets;theyarelookingforunusual and predict the future state of your environment to makebehavior: passengers avoiding eye contact, individuals car-informeddecisions.Itrying oversized or heavy involves observing yourbaggageinconsistent surroundings,compre- with the trips duration, hendingthemeaningSituational awareness isoranyonewhoseems ofthoseobservations,overlyinterestedinop-andanticipatingwhatthe ability to perceive,erationalareaslikethe mighthappennextwheelhouseorengine toeffectivelyrespondunderstand, and predictroom.topotentialrisksor hazards.Thisskillisthe future state of yourOnceunderway,vigi-applicabletovariouslancecontinues.Acrew fields,fromdailylifeenvironment to makemember should be aware andpersonalsafetytoofthenormalstate just about every type ofinformed decisions.ofthevessel:theusual work environment. Forsounds of the engine or smallvesseloperators,thetypicallocationand developing this skill starts with training that is laid out inbehavior of passengers should be at the forefront of them the Alternative Security Program (ASP). performingtheirestablishedrounds.Anydeviationa new, strange vibration, a passenger attempting to open a Thiscriticalskillinvolvescontinuouslyobservingthesecured hatch, or an unexpected vessel approaching too surroundingenvironment,understandingnormalop- closelyimmediately raises a security alert.erations, and quickly identifying anomalies that could signal a security threat. Unlike massive cruise terminalsPractical example: This is a real-life example that happened withlayeredsecurityperimeters,smalleroperationsat the Gateway Clipper Fleetoften utilize more accessible public docking areas. The boarding process can be less formal, and the crew typi- A couple years back, aboard a one-hour sightseeing cruise, cally doubles their roles, serving as deckhands and safetya fellow passenger noticed some unusual behavior. While personnel simultaneously. most people were snapping pictures of the city skyline, a Continued on page 68FOGHORN 4'